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contactless payment solutions, such as Apple Pay. It can also facilitate the activation and use of digital transit tickets, like those for your local transportation service.

The main limitation of NFC, which is also the reason it is generally viewed as a more secure transmission method, is that the wireless range is quite short. Thus, you need to be in close proximity (within touching distance) for it to function. Additionally, you can configure a setting that permits tag scanning only when your phone is unlocked through a “Require device unlock for NFC” feature for enhanced security (this setting is dependent on the OEM).

However, if distance becomes an issue and you lack access to your phone, then you might find it difficult to take advantage of functionalities like scanning tags or sharing your Wi-Fi information using this feature. These are useful functionalities, but they are not the sole capabilities of the NFC reader embedded in your smartphone. It appears that there are three operational modes for NFC: card emulation mode, reader and writer mode, and peer-to-peer mode.

Samsung’s smartphone range. It showcases a 6.7-inch OLED screen with a refresh rate of 120Hz, a 5,000mAh battery, and boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The device is driven by the Exynos 1480 SoC and operates on Android 16 with One UI 8.5 layered on top. Notably, this phone is slated to receive Android OS and security updates for a duration of six years, which is commendable for a mid-tier smartphone. It is available for purchase starting at $450 in the U.S. through Samsung’s retail outlets, the official website, numerous wireless carriers, and Amazon. Although initial hands-on evaluations suggest that the Galaxy A37 is a satisfactory mid-range option, it doesn’t offer any significant enhancements over the Galaxy A36, which already ranks among the best budget gaming devices and even the top budget smartphones for frequent travelers.

The only significant modification is the new Exynos chip, which is somewhat disappointing as the A37 is priced $50 higher than its predecessor. While the price hike is probably due to escalating component costs, it renders the phone less appealing as a value proposition. Therefore, if you wish to investigate all available alternatives and seek similarly priced devices that can deliver superior performance with their enhanced internals, you’re in luck. A number of budget or mid-range Android smartphones are worth considering over the Galaxy A37. Here’s a glimpse at three of the leading options.

Sony’s announcement of a price increase for the PlayStation 5 offers consumers an opportunity to purchase devices at a lower price before they are compelled to spend more or find them out of reach. Meanwhile, other companies have discreetly raised their prices overnight. Lenovo has recently done exactly that with its popular tablet range, and there’s cause to suspect that additional tablet makers could soon mimic this trend, making it an ideal moment to buy one if you’ve been undecided.

The situation with Lenovo serves as a wake-up signal due to the abrupt price increases, which range between $30 and $70. For example, the Lenovo Tab One increased from $149.99 to $179.99, the Lenovo Tab Plus rose from $299.99 to $329.99, and the Lenovo Yoga Tab jumped from $549.99 to $619.99. You might be adopting a wait-and-see stance, hoping this reflects a temporary reaction to some fluctuating market conditions — namely, the persistent chip shortage. Surely, at some point, Android tablet prices will revert to what they once were, right? Regrettably, industry analysis suggests that these price increases are only the beginning.

“Shark Tank” viewers are aware that the items showcased on the program are at various phases of development and launch. Some, such as Gunnar Glasses, have experienced some level of success and seek assistance from the Sharks to scale their operations. Conversely, there are firms still in the nascent stages with no products shipped yet, like the Amber Phone Charging Station.

Terrashroom, which featured in Season 16, Episode 4 of “Shark Tank,” belongs to this latter group. Founder Jared Steele approached the Sharks requesting $175,000 for 2.5% equity in his unique mushroom cultivation chamber, claiming it had acquired 6,500 paying customers (with over 20,000 on an email waitlist) and generated $780,000 in revenue over the initial year and a half.

While the Sharks showed initial interest in Terrashroom, most withdrew upon discovering that Steele had not yet delivered any products. Only Kevin O’Leary remained, proposing the funding in return for 15% of the company — much to the irritation of fellow Shark Lori Greiner, who attempted to dissuade him from the offer. However, when Steele attempted to negotiate with a 5% counter, Mr. Wonderful promptly retracted his offer, leaving Terrashroom without a deal.

What transpired with the Terrashroom after Shark Tank?

Terrashroom enjoyed some early success. In July 2024, the company dispatched its initial 23 units, garnering favorable early reviews. Following some design modifications, the company aimed to deliver the first 1,500 units of the final product between October 2024 and January 2025. However, it remains uncertain if these actually reached customers, as Terrashroom fell silent for several months following a September 2024 investor update.

In June 2025, founder Jared Steele declared that he was promptly closing Terrashroom. In a final corporate update, Steele expressed regret for underestimating the workload and overpromising the product. He also pointed to manufacturing challenges, an alarmingly low customer retention rate, shifts in the mushroom market, and health issues related to stress as contributing factors. The company’s precarious financial state also meant that Terrashroom was unable to refund deposits for unfinished purchases. Steele has created a customer claims form and has pledged personally to reimburse those who did not receive what they paid for in a bid to make amends. Nonetheless, this has not prevented many disgruntled customers from feeling deceived and accusing Terrashroom of being a scam.

Since the announcement, Terrashroom’s website and social media platforms have been erased, with the exception of its LinkedIn account. As for Steele, he has been involved with a few small businesses in the Austin, TX area since winding down his company. Terrashroom exemplifies a situation where financial backing and guidance from one of the Sharks might have been advantageous, though perhaps not sufficient to achieve its overly ambitious objectives. Although maybe scientists could have contributed, given their advancements in turning mushrooms into computers.

create the ultimate home theater experience that you can relish with friends or family. If there’s merely one location in the entire space where you can appreciate the view, it fails to provide a truly high-end experience. Curved TVs were just a trend that faded once the novelty diminished, while flat panels continue to dominate.

new electric vehicle battery technology that enables these automobiles to compete with what conventional gasoline cars provide, featuring extended ranges and extra functionalities. Nevertheless, in spite of the progress that a number of these modern vehicles may have achieved, there’s still one issue that troubles EV owners: tire degradation. But what makes electric vehicles more susceptible to tire attrition compared to traditional gasoline automobiles? It appears there are several distinct factors at play here.

It’s vital to recognize just how much more rapidly EVs can deplete their tires. Scott Clark, a past Michelin executive, disclosed in 2021 that electric vehicles generally deteriorate their tires up to 20% quicker than typical gasoline cars. Whether that precise figure holds true five years later remains uncertain; however, not a great deal regarding the mechanics of EVs has altered significantly during that timeframe — they continue to possess greater instant torque than gasoline-driven vehicles, and frequently tend to be heavier. All of this exerts additional stress on the tires, which results in accelerated wear.

There’s another aspect to take into account, as well, which is that electric cars must utilize tires specifically designed for EVs. Michelin clarifies that electric vehicle tires are constructed to leverage “advanced techniques,” which aids in providing a robust and high-performance structure for the tire, referred to by the company as a “tire carcass.” Some of these tires even feature varied belt angles, which can enhance the tire’s shape.